Heck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Heck name comes from the Middle High German word "hecke," or "hegge," meaning "hedge;" as such it was likely originally a topographic name for someone who lived near a hedge. This name is common in southern Germany and the Rhineland.
Early Origins of the Heck family
The surname Heck was first found in Flanders, where the name Heck became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.
Early History of the Heck family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heck research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Heck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Heck Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Heck, Hecke, van Heck, van Hecke, van den Hecke and others.
Early Notables of the Heck family
Notables of the period with the name Heck were
- van Heck family of Flanders
Heck Ranking
In the United States, the name Heck is the 2,421st most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Heck is ranked the 7,985th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2
Heck migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Heck Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Henrig Heck, who landed in New York in 1709 3
- Sebastiaen Heck, who arrived in New York in 1709 3
- Mary Heck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1731 3
- Ludwick Heck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1731 3
- Elizabeth Heck, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1731 3
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Heck Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- August W Heck, who arrived in New York, NY in 1842 3
- Mr. Hein. Heck, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "York"
- Heinrich Heck, aged 34, who landed in New York, NY in 1847 3
- Eichnty Heck, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1848 3
- Mrs. Heinr Heck, who arrived in America in 1849 3
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Heck migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Heck Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
- Mr. Paul Heck U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 4
Contemporary Notables of the name Heck (post 1700) +
- Peter Jewell Heck (b. 1941), American science fiction and mystery author
- Alfons Heck (1928-2005), German American human rights activist
- Andy Heck (b. 1967), American football coach and former player
- Charlie Heck (b. 1996), American football offensive tackle; son of Andy Heck
- Denny Heck (b. 1952), American politician and United States Congressman
- Homer Heck (1936-2014), American politician
- Max W. Heck (1869-1938), American politician
- Paul Heck (b. 1967), American music producer
- Rose Marie Heck (b. 1932), American politician
- Victor Heck (b. 1967), American editor and horror fiction author
- ... (Another 17 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Historic Events for the Heck family +
Bismarck
- Thomas Heck (1922-1941), German Matrose II who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5
Suggested Readings for the name Heck +
- Descendants of Daniel David Heck, A Settler in the Lower Part of the Shenandoah River Valley Near the Virginia Natural Bridge During The Latter Part of the 1700s by Arch Oliver Heck.
Citations +
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
- Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details